This fall, we embraced the season in one of the sweetest ways possible—through baking together. After returning from our recent apple picking trips, where our students harvested crisp apples with their own hands, we turned to the kitchen to create something delicious and memorable. Baking is more than a fun activity for us; it is a valuable learning experience that engages multiple skills at once. Measuring ingredients encourages math practice, following a recipe strengthens reading comprehension, and sharing the finished product builds social connections. With autumn in full swing, we decided to make Apple Crescents, a warm and comforting recipe that let our students transform the fruit they picked into a treat they could enjoy immediately.
The joy began as students washed, peeled, and carefully sliced the apples. Each step allowed for the development of fine motor skills and teamwork. Our kitchen quickly filled with the familiar scents of fall—cinnamon, butter, and baked apples. Students worked together to prepare the dough, sprinkle on the sugar and spice, and gently roll each apple slice into a crescent. The process was tactile and hands-on, creating opportunities for sensory engagement as well as culinary creativity.
We take pride in connecting our farm and orchard experiences with practical life skills. Bringing freshly picked apples into the kitchen is a meaningful way for students to see the full cycle of food: from harvesting in the orchard to preparing in the kitchen to enjoying at the table. This reinforces independence, problem-solving, and collaboration while celebrating seasonal traditions. As the crescents baked, anticipation filled the room. When the oven timer rang, students gathered around to see the golden-brown pastries emerge, the apples softened to perfection and wrapped in buttery dough.
Sharing food together is always a highlight, and these Apple Crescents brought smiles to every face. Baking gave our students the chance to not only enjoy the flavors of fall but also to take pride in creating something from start to finish. Experiences like this highlight how we celebrate the season while teaching skills that extend beyond the kitchen.
Below is the recipe we followed, simple and rewarding, perfect for recreating at home:
Apple Crescents Recipe
- 1 apple, peeled, cored, and cut into 8 (½-inch) slices
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls (8 count)
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice or cinnamon
Steps
- Heat oven to 375°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or grease lightly.
- Toss apple slices in 1 tablespoon of melted butter. Separate crescent roll dough into 8 triangles.
- Mix brown sugar and spice in a small bowl. Divide mixture evenly among dough triangles. Top each with an apple slice and roll up starting at the short side. Place on cookie sheet. Brush with remaining melted butter.
- Bake 10–12 minutes, until crescents are golden brown and apples are tender. Cool 5 minutes before serving.
Through experiences like fall baking, we celebrate the harvest, foster learning, and create lasting memories together.
